Fish lure



Patented Mar. 3l, 1936 FISH LURE Menser M. Peterson, Cokato, Minn., assigner ci one-half to Luther G. Peterson, Cokato, Minn.

Application May Ztl, 1.933, Serial No.. 673,691

lll. Cl.

ventlon relates to ilsh lures and particularly to lcial baits for use in bait casting.

iin object of my invention is to provide a sh lure which is capable of use in place oi a number oi conventional lures.

.another object is to provide such a lure whereon the design displayed may be readily changed 4hy means of interchangeable and reversible, re-

movable parts.

Still another object is to provide such a lure having means for producing a lifelike motion and action thereof when the same is drawn through the water.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear iro the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein lilre reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the various views, and, in which,

Fig. l is a side view of my sh lure, in which the movable deflecting plate is shown in full lines in one or its extreme positions and in dotted lines in the other of its extreme positions;

Fig. 2 is a top view;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows;

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Fig. i is a view of one of the removable coloredl plates used with my lure;

Fig. 5 is a partial horizontal sectional view showing the retaining members by means of which the removableplates are attached to my lure; y

Fig. 6 is a front view of the defiecting plate on the forward end of the lure; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view ci the deilecting plate taken along the line 'i-l of Fig. 6, as indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawing, my fish lure includes an' elongated body I0 formed of wood or other suitable preferably buoyant material and shaped, as shown, to resemble the body of a minnow. A pair of treble hooks Il, of conven- 45 tional form. are swingably attached to the body I0 respectively, at the rear end thereof and at the medial portion of the lower side thereof by means of screw eyes Ila. The forward end of the body I0 has a downwardly and forwardly sloping concave groove Illa therein.

A concave deflecting plate I2, located just forwardly of the forward end oi the body I0, has a pair of ears I2a extending rearwardly from the respective side edges thereof at a point slightly 55 above the center of the plate. Each of the ears I2q (lll. i3-dii) is apertured adjacent the outer end thereoi and screws Itb extend through the apertured portions into respective sides ci the forward portion of the body lll to connect the plate it to the body for swinging movement upwardly and d I downwardly with respect thereto. Q Slightly below the center or the platelt a loop or ring lic is formed for the purpose of connecting a cast ing line, such. as the line it, to the swingable plate it. lo

A horizontally disposed aperture it extends transversely through the body Iii a short distance behind the forward end thereoi'. A vertically disposed pivot pin l5, having its end portions embedded in the body it and its medial portion la disposed diametrically oi the aperture lil, ezttends through the aperture It adjacent each end thereof. A flat retaining member it, having a channel-shaped portion Ita at one end thereof, is mounted on each of the kpivot pins i5, as sho` t 2o so as to be swingable about the pin in a horizontal plane. The forward end of the channelshaped portion Ita is closed by a dat piece ith.

A helical compression spring il is disposed in compressed condition in the aperturer It between 25 the portions Ita of the respective retaining members I6 to exert outwardly directed pressure on each of the portions Ita so as to hold the re taining members either in retaining position, as shown in Fig. 5, or in releasing position, swung 3o ninety degrees forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 5 and to provide snap action when the retaining members or either thereoi are moved from one to the other of their positions.

A plate It formed of sheet metal or other 35 suitable material and shaped as shown in. Fig. d, is provided for attachment to each side of the body Ill. Each plate I 8 is provided with a rectangular aperture I 8a near its forward end for engagement with one of the retaining members 4o I6, and an aperture Itb near its rear end for engagement with a screw I9. The rearmost portion of the aperture Mib isA circular in shape and has a diameter slightly greater than that of the head of the screw I9 and the forward portion 45 of the aperture is in the form of an elongated slot having a width smaller than the diameter of the head of the screw I9 and slightly greater than the diameter of the neck of the screw. Each screw I9 is driven into one of the respective 50 sides of the body I0 with its head spaced from the side of the body a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the plate I8 in the location shown in Figs. 1 and 2.`

To attach one of the plates I8 to the body I0, 55

one of the retaining members I8 is moved to its outwardly extending and forwardly swung posi'- tion. The rectangularly apertured portion I8a of the plate I8 is slipped over the retaining member I 6 and the circular portion of the aperture Ilb of the plate is slipped over the head of the screw I9. 'I'he plate is then slid rearwardly a short distance so that the neck of the screw I9 will be disposed inthe narrow elongated portion of the aperture IBb and the head of the screw I9 will engage portions of the plate adjacent the aperture to restrain the plate against outward movement. The retaining member I6 is then moved to its retaining position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, wherein it will retain the forward portion of the plate I8 against outward movement and wherein the rear ends of the flanges of the channel-like portion Ila of the retaining member will prevent forward movement of the plate. 'I'he retaining members I6, when in their retaining position, present the appearance of the fins of a mirinow. 'I'he rear ends of the retaining members are out-turned slightly for ease in operating the same and also to cause a slight swirl in the water corresponding to the swirl created by the fins of a live minnowwhen the lure is drawn through the water.

The body I0 of the lure may, of course, be painted or enamelled with any desired color or combination of colors. In the particular form shown, the forward or head portion of the body I 0 has a different color than the remaining portions of the body.

The retaining members I6 and the deflector plate I2 may either be plated and polished to present a light reiiecting surface or may be enamelled with any desired colors or designs.

The side plates may also either be plated and polished to present a light reflecting surface or may be enamelled with any desired color or combination of colors. Solid colors, stripes, or a mottled effect may be used. (The plate shown in Fig. 1 is provided with diagonal stripes and the plate shown in Fig. 4 is provided with a mottled color scheme.) It is intended that a number of pairs of plates I8 be provided, each pair having a different coloring than the others. Each plate may have a diiferent color combination on each of its sides and of course may be attached to the body III with either of its sides facing outwardly. Also a plate having one color combination may be used on one side of the lure and a plate having a different color combination may be used on the other side. The lure may, of course, be used with no plates I8 attached to it or may be used with a plate attached to only one of its sides.

A series of pairs of side plates I8 having respective pairs formed of metals having various specic gravities so as to have various weights and hence to provide for operation of the lure at various depths in the water may be provided in addition to plates having various color combinations.

It is obvious that a single lure of the form described including a set of pairs of side plates having various color combinations and various weights will supplant a considerable number of conventional lures.

In normal use of my lure, when the line I3 is pulled steadily, the deiiecting plate will obviously be tilted upwardly to its upper limit of movement and is in such position as to cause the lure to be held a substantial distance under the water or, if the line is pulled rapidly, to descend further into the water or to dive. When the line is alternately pulled and allowed to slacken, the above described action will occur during the pulling portion of the cycle. During the slackening portion of the cycle, when the lure is coasting through the water, the pressure of the water against the larger portion of the deflector below its pivot will cause the deiiector to be tilted downwardly to its lowerlimit of movement and in this position the deector will produce substantially no downwardly deilecting action and will hence allow the lure to move rapidly upwardly in the water due to the buoyance of the body I 0. The result will be that the lure will alternately ascend and descend in the water in a very lifelike manner. The heads of the screws I9 will split or divert the flow of water past the sides of the lure and thus cause swirls and disturbances in the water about the rear or tail portion of the lure to further enhance the lifelike appearance and action of the lure. It will be obvious that by giving the line quick short jerks, the defiector plate will be alternately caused to swing up and down to produce a lifelike movement of the lure which will attract fish thereto. The concave curvature of the deiiector plate I2 will cause the lure to have a wobbler action.

It is apparent that I have invented a novel, eilicient, and inexpensive form of fish lure capable of replacing a number of luresof conventional form and capable of producing a lifelike action and movement when drawn through the water.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed ist- 1. In a fish lure, an elongated body, a substantially at reversible plate having different designs to attract sh on its two sides, and means for releasably attaching said plate to said body to expose a preferred side of said plate.

2. In a iish lure, an elongated minnow-like body, a pair of substantially iiat reversible plates each having diiierent designs on its two sides and means for removably attaching said plates to the sides of said body with either side of each plate disposed outwardly to expose the desired sides of said plates. 3. In a fish lure, an elongated minnow-like body, a pair of plates designed to attract fish for attachment to the respective sides of said body in substantially flush relation therewith, each of said plates having an aperture therethrough, a iin-like swingable retaining member at each side of said body adapted to be extended through the aperture in one of said plates and then swung rearwardly into substantially ush relation with said plate to retain the same in substantially flush relation with the side of said body, and means for holding said retaining member in retaining position. l

4. I'he structure defined in claim 3, and each of said plates having a longitudinal slot in the rear portion thereof, the rear end portion of said slot being of increased size, and a headed element protruding from the rear portion of each side of said body to be received within the rear end portion of said slot.

5. In a iish lure, an elongated minnow-like body, a pair of plates designed to attract fish for attachment to the respective sides of said body in substantially ush relation therewith, each .of said plates having an aperture therethrough,

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said body provided with a nei-se apertnre therethrough, a nrt-like ret member pirated at one end in the outer perdon oi each end ot said transverse apertures resilient means in said transverse apertnre hea eg the pirated ends oi said retaining members, the pivoted end oi each ot' said retaining members being anitaloly shaped lor cam action in cooperation with said resilient means to hold said retag naenahers either extending rearwardly along the side oi said body or extending laterally outwardly irene said body whereby the apertured portion oi one oi said plates may be placed on one of said retaining members when the same is extended laterally and said retaining member may be swung to its rearwardly extending position wherein it will retain said plate in substantially dash relation to the side ot said body.

d. .il nah lure comprising an elongated body, lioolrs attached to the bottom oi said body, a series oi pairs of substantially iiat plates respectively differently designed to attract nsh each pair being adapted to be applied against the two sides oi said body one at either side oi said hooks, and ouiclrly releasable means for removably securing said plates in position whereby one pair oi platos rnay be quickly replaced by another oi said pairs to change the appearance of said lure.

i. d dell lure comprising an elongated body having a head at its forward end provided with a downwardly and forwardly inclined groove, a plate having a forwardly lacing concave portion partially received within said groove, said plate being pivoted to said' head for upward and downward swinging movement, the pivot being disposed above the center oi mass oi the plate hetween the two ends thereof, and means on said plate below the point at which itis plvotally con'- nected ior attachment oi a fishing line thereto.

d. in a deh lore. an elongated body.. a rigid, snbstantl dat reversible plate having dierent deh-attrae designs on its respective sides, said plate being adapted to he secured to said body with a selected one or its sides facing outir and releasable means tor securing said plate to said body.

d. in a sh lure, an elongated body, a plate having a iorwardiy facing concave portion, said plate being disposed torwardly. ci the iorwarcl end oi said body and being pivotally connected above but closely adjacent the transverse median of the plate to the forward end of said body for vertical roclring movement of said plate with rel spect to said body and means on. said plate below the portion at which it is pivotally connected for attachment ci' a iishing` line thereto.

l0. in a deh lure, an elongated body, a dedcctor plate having a forwardly facing concave portion, said plate being disposed forwardly of the torward end of said body and being plvotally connected to the forward end oi' said body above but -closely adjacent the transverse median of the plate tor vertical rocking movement of said plate relative to said body, and means on said plate below its transverse median ior the attachment oi a fishing line thereto.

il. in a rlsh lure, an elongated body, a deflector plate disposed forwardly of the forward end of said body, rearwardly projecting horizontally aligned and spaced elements carried by said plate above but closely adjacent the transverse median oi the plate, said elements being pivotally con@ nected to the forward end of said body whereby said plate may rock vertically relative to said body, and means on said plate below said elements for the attachment oi a iishing line thereto.

MENSER M. PETERSON. 

